It's the final countdown: Mets narrow down managerial candidates to three

The Mets have entered their second round of interviews for their open managerial position. Plus, some offseason rumors and minor signings.

The latest on the Mets managerial search… 💭

• The club’s search for a manager has entered its second round of interviews with Buck Showalter, Joe Espada and Matt Quatraro as the three finalists (Heyman)

• Brad Ausmus, Bob Geren and Clayton McCullough are the candidates who did not make it past the first round of the search

• Owner Steve Cohen will now officially be involved in the interview process (NY Post)

• Buck Showalter is viewed as the prohibitive favorite to land the job (SNY)

• The Mets are expected to vet all three final candidates extensively throughout the week, meaning that a hire may not be announced until the following week (NY Post)

• Mets GM Billy Eppler is a “big fan” of Joe Espada as the two have ties going back to their time with the Yankees (NY Post)

• Brian Butterfield could be a potential addition to the team’s coaching staff if Showalter is hired (NY Post)

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The Mets signed 18-year-old RHP Yoelin Disla to a minor league contract on December 8th.

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Hot Stove 🔥

• The Cubs and Padres discussed a trade involving 1B Eric Hosmer this past season (The Athletic)

• INF Freddy Galvis signed a two-year contract with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in the Nippon Professional Baseball league (Heyman)

• The Nationals signed 2B/OF Dee Gordon and 3B Maikel Franco to minor league contracts (ESPN and The Washington Post)

• The Brewers have shown “previous interest” in acquiring 1B Luke Voit from the Yankees (NY Post)